The Twilight books are a popular topic of conversation almost everywhere, I've found. Yes, I've read them. All of them. I took my time about it though. I'd heard of the books before the hype and was mildly interested but once I got wind of the audience (tween girls) and their obsession with this 'Edward Cullen', I became one of those who mocked and avoided them...
Until I decided that to be justified in mocking the story I had to read it first and well, everyone else, including the awesome Kate and Tara had read them so I succumbed. 'Ministry purposes' was a popular explanation at church for toting the books - right up to Peter Lin.
I was not impressed. The book really is literary trash. The dialogue between Edward and Bella made me cringe but I suppose that's to be expected. Although I think it's rubbish I can understand how young girls are completely swept away by Edward's apparent perfection. It'll be a few years yet before they realise that a boyfriend who stands over you while you sleep is just creepy, not romantic, regardless of whether or not he is a vampire who never sleeps.
I've had a few discussions about the content of the book with Isobel Lin (yes, the amazing Equip women's conference convenor and wife of my minister) who is probably the only person who can use the 'ministry purposes' defence legitimately. She has a daughter of about 12 and most of her daughter's friends are avid Twilight readers and Edward enthusiasts, although that may be selling their admiration short. Isobel's daughter is not allowed to read Twilight for the simple reason that 12 year old girls are not ready for the complications associated with sex and relationships. The Twilight series delves deeply into both themes and I have great respect for Isobel for taking the time to monitor what her children are exposed to. It's not a case of being strict and conservative for the sake of it but ensuring that she fosters within her daughter a beautiful mind.
We are living in an age that makes it almost impossible for a young girl to maintain her innocence. It is lost in a flurry of make-up, inappropriate clothing and morally ambiguous pop music before she even becomes a teenager. Isobel's daughter is exceptional in that she is given the chance to be a child: her mind is not worried or confused about things that it shouldn't be. It seems that society prefers to educate children on sex and relationships at a younger age because they are becoming more knowledgable about these things - but why is that?
Last night I sat at my minister's kitchen table, flicking through the Sunday Magazine from the Sunday Telegraph and came to a full page advertisement that featured two half naked women promoting lingerie. I was embarassed by the ad, two 6 year-old-girls were seated across from me and I felt the need to protect them from such a gratuitous display of flesh. I quickly put the magazine away.
Such a lax attitude concerning sexuality is unhelpful and difficult to shield children from, but it's not impossible. I know children aren't completely ignorant but I do not think that they should be exposed to such things unnecessarily, especially if we are hoping to cultivate in them a Christian way of thinking. Surely we are overwhelming children if we introduce to them to adult concepts prematurely? Restricting a child from reading the Twilight novels until she is old enough is not over-protective and over-bearing, it is a loving reaction from a concerned parent who would not like her daughter's mind corrupted until it can't be put off any longer, thank you very much.
As I spoke to Isobel, I realised how twisted my own mind had been by the things I'd seen and heard as I grew up. It pained me to know that I can never go back to blissful ignorance. So I understand perfectly. I wish my thoughts weren't so easily swayed by the darkness of the world. In the depths of your mind you are completely unrestricted. The potential terrifies me. But there are still those in the world who have yet to discover this and to me that is a very beautiful thing.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Amen!
hey chris. i'm so procrastinating doing admin at the moment, so i read your blog. the only thing i would add is that our restriction of jess reading twilight (and other stuff like harry potter) is not only about protecting her from prematurely corrupting her mind, it's about shaping her mind first, so that when she does read stuff that's corrupting (and most stuff is anyway), she will have the discernment and godly wisdom to recognise its corrupting influence and repel it. i believe kids can be wise. wisdom has little to do with age and more to do with listening critically to input and listening submissively to the Word of God. so i'm trying to teach her to be a discerning, active "listener" to what she reads, sees, hears (as opposed to passive absorber), and most importantly to God's word. then even when she reads potentially corrupting stuff, she will still have a beautiful mind. i want her to read twilight eventually, but when she has the godly understanding to see it for what it is. that is what will sharpen and shape her mind in a good way, and in a way in which she will be able to engage with others helpfully.
ReplyDeletePL
Seeing that you are on your mid-session break and all... you should check out the posts listed in this post:
ReplyDeletehttp://hippocampusextensions.com/karen/twilight_word_vomit_a_postscript/
This really good Christian writer has written a whole lot of posts on twilight and her thoughts on it which I found very interesting.